Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Extorting student file sharers


From: "Stanclift, Michael" <michael.stanclift () ROCKHURST EDU>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:38:14 -0600

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10449583-261.html

University worker accused of extorting student file sharers

If you thought the Recording Industry Association of America was hard on illegal file sharing, consider Dorin Dehelean.

Dehelean, an Internet security analyst, was in charge of tracking illegal file sharing at the University of Georgia 
until he tried to shake down the student downloaders he caught.

Last week, police arrested the 37-year-old Dehelean on a felony extortion charge, according to a report published by 
the Web site of the Athens Banner-Herald<http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/020310/uga_558085836.shtml>. Police allege 
that Dehelean contacted a female student two weeks ago to tell her that he'd caught her violating school policy by 
illegally downloading copyright materials.

He also told her he could make the "situation go away in exchange for money," Jimmy Williamson, chief of campus police 
at the university, told the Banner-Herald. "All he was doing was (offering) to keep the information from going to 
Judicial Programs."

The student, who apparently could have faced disciplinary action for the downloading, told Dehelean that she didn't 
have the money and then informed a school official about the conversation. The police were contacted and they sent a 
plainclothes officer to meet with Dehelean posing as the student. After Dehelean accepted a payment of an undisclosed 
amount, he was arrested and the school immediately fired him.

Police believe Dehelean tried to extort other students and may have been paid off by at least one student. No word yet 
on whether the female student was disciplined for the downloading.


Michael Stanclift | Network Analyst | Computer Services
Rockhurst University | 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone: 816.501.4231 | Fax: 816.501.4014 | http://help.rockhurst.edu<http://help.rockhurst.edu/>

PHelp keep our campus green, think before you print!
ÏRUCS will never ask you for your password!

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